The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-08-18

service and partly BECAUSE he was at
an age when it is difficult to embark
upon q new course of life, he mixed
but little in the gaities and hospitality
Tor which the Hopshire was famous,
spent his time principally among his
books, and; it was generally believed.
in adding to his professional income
by contributing to periodical litera-
ture.
The object OF old Smith intentions,
1t was reported, was Grace Clough-a
pretty, modest, we'll behaved girl, who
occupied position in the millinery
establishment OF Ruche & Bustle, and
aftei whom the subs in the battalion
were raving. although not g. word had
ever been breathed that she had in tho
slightest degree outstepped the bounds
OF proprlety. or had upon any occa-
sion behaved herself otherwise than
modestly and becomingly. OF these
smltten youngsters none was more ar
dent in his professions of admiration,
and none could congratulate himself
upon having made & nearer approach
to conquest than the harum-sc arum,
devil-may-care Honorable Bob Top.
sham, eldest son Of Lord Cray, upon
whose authority the news of old
Smiths attachment had been spread
abroad.
At first the notion that old Smith
could have succeeded in cutting out
the handsome. titled young sub WIS
secuted as ridiculous, for Smith was
not exactly of the age and appearance
to win the love of a girl at whose feet
q score Of eligible bachelors of good
position and qualifications were ready
to throw themselves. 1t was very
we'll known. too, that he was not in a
position to support q wife, and his
character stood too high for any one
to dare to breathe q hint that his in
tentions toward such girl would
be anything but strictly honorable.
But Bob Topsham invited his
brother subs to see for themselves,
and arranged that after mess one
evening they should accompany him
into the town, conceal themselves,
and keep watch on the premises OF
Ruche & Bllstle at the -Four when the
young ladies ofthat famous emporium
were liberated from their days servi-
tude. This they did, and they we're
rewarded by seeing old Smith walkin,
up and down the street in the true
cavalier style, to be presently joined
by Oracle, who greeted him with corr
duality. and, putting her arm i'll his,
went off with him in the direction OF
the pleasant fields by which Filstone
is surrounded.
The young gentlemen, with the ex-
ception of Bob Topsham, regarded
the affair as an excellent joke, and re-
solved that old Smith should hear OF
it's discovery in divers pleasant ways;
but Bob Topsham took it very seri-
ously, for Re was head over heels in
love with the girl, and up to q recent
date had good reason to believe that
his affection was reciprocated, and
that he held undivided possession of
her heart.
OF course every one knew that be-
tween Bob Topsham and Oracle
Clougl very intimate understanding
existed, but the young gentlemen had
already fallen III love half dozen
times, and the idea was never enter
tanned for a moment that Che prospec-
tive Lord Cray, the heir of one OF the
proudest noblpmen in the country,
seriously meditated matrimonial
union WITH a provincial shop-girl; so
that he was made the subject Of in
Vulnerable witticisms anent the new
rival who had suddenly appeared on
the field. The result was that q cool
ness sprang up between him and old
Smith, though they had hitherto been
Ion the best terms with each other,
and it became ve:Y evident to the
only onlookers, who hailed with de-
light anything which promised to vary
the monotony of barrack life in a
quiet old country town, that the al
fair would soon assume a serious as
pect.
The climax came in due course
Bob Topsham had seen Grace, and the
following conversation had ensued be-
tween them:
IL say, Gracie," said the Honorable
Bob, II wish you'd put me out OF my
misery and tell me plainly how mat
tiers stand between us. You've said
scores of times that you care more
for me than Tor any other fellow. I've
+ sworn to you that never could love
another GIRL, and yet I've found ont
that not only are you i'll the habit o
meeting Smith of ours, but that yor
treat him Just like a favored lover-ir
fact, you do with him what you w
never done with me, you 90 out walks
with him, and I can't help thinking
that you're playing q double game.
The girl seemed very much detected
at these accusations, and at length
hesitatingly replied: "Well, Bob, I'm
sorry you have such poor opinion
OF ne. I've told you that love you
= I'd it is not likely that I should say
Esuch thing and at the same time b
carrying On-as you term it-with All
other man. But think that our at
tachment is altogether an unfortunate
affair. know I've done wrong in en-
couraging you, but have not beer
able to help it, because l have no
been able to help loving you. Dom
you think that We had better mo-
meet any more, and try to: forget al
that has passed between us?"
The young officer stared in amaze
ment and exclaimed: "Why, Oracle
you don't mean to say that your
going to throw me over like this?"
mo, Bob, Idon't want to do any
thing of the Sort" replied the girl
'but am anxious to act for you
good-tor the good OF both OF us
really, truly, and honestly I do
\ Please don't accuse me of any othe
[ motive. Just think over our posi-
1tion. On the one side there is you
heir to a great name, your father .
proud, rich man. On the other side
} here am Ia milliner's shop girl
What would your father say-wha
would the world say, il you were tt
make me your wife?"
4 @.What do i care about what tn
I governor q the world would say3" ex
slaimed her lover. II am Of age. NJ!
father has no influence over me, OK
|nopt to cut me out Of his will. Your
lady, Oracle, know that. although
lou are in q shop, and there's n,
hame in that. BY Jove! you've onl.
10 turn up tho directory to see ho7
the swells are going in for commerce
and even tor trade. For Gods SAX
then. Oracle, don't send me away